AWS A5.1/A5.1M · Carbon & Mild Steel
E6013 Welding Electrode
E6013 is the easy-starting rutile rod for thin steel and light fabrication — soft arc, shallow penetration and the best bead appearance of the 60-series.
- 60 ksi tensile
- Polarity AC, DCEP, DCEN
- 4 positions
- Shallow to medium penetration
- Stick (SMAW)
What E6013 means
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| E | Electrode for shielded metal arc welding |
| 60 | 60,000 psi minimum tensile strength |
| 1 | All welding positions |
| 3 | High-titania (rutile) potassium coating, AC, DCEP or DCEN |
E6013 specifications
| AWS specification | AWS A5.1/A5.1M |
|---|---|
| Process | Stick (SMAW) |
| Form | Covered electrode |
| Polarity | AC, DCEP, DCEN |
| Welding positions | Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead |
| Tensile strength (min) | 60 ksi (414 MPa) |
| Yield strength (min) | 48 ksi (331 MPa) |
| Elongation (min) | 17% |
| Impact toughness | Not required by AWS A5.1 for this classification |
| Coating / core | High-titania (rutile) potassium |
| Penetration | Shallow to medium |
| Deposition rate | Medium |
| Slag | Heavy, self-lifting, leaves a smooth bead face |
| Arc character | Soft, quiet, easy to strike and restart |
| Shielding gas | None — self-shielding |
E6013 amperage by diameter
Typical operating ranges. Start near the middle of the range, then adjust by sound and bead profile. Reduce 10–15% for vertical and overhead work.
| Diameter | Amperage range | Typical start |
|---|---|---|
| 1/16 in (1.6 mm) | 20–45 A | 32 A |
| 5/64 in (2.0 mm) | 25–60 A | 42 A |
| 3/32 in (2.4 mm) | 45–90 A | 68 A |
| 1/8 in (3.2 mm) | 80–130 A | 105 A |
| 5/32 in (4.0 mm) | 105–180 A | 142 A |
| 3/16 in (4.8 mm) | 150–230 A | 190 A |
Polarity: Runs on anything. DCEN gives the shallowest penetration and least burn-through on sheet metal; AC is the most common setting on hobby machines.
What E6013 is used for
- Sheet metal and thin-wall tubing where burn-through is the risk
- Ornamental ironwork, gates, railings and furniture
- General light fabrication and shop repairs
- Teaching and practice welding — the easiest mild-steel rod to strike
- Cosmetic passes where bead appearance matters
Base metals
- Mild steel sheet and light plate
- A36 structural steel
- Square and round tube
- Light gauge fabrications
Characteristics
- Very easy arc starting and restarting, even on a cold machine
- Shallow penetration — the reason it works on thin material and the reason it is wrong for thick joints
- Smooth, finely rippled bead with a flat-to-slightly-convex face
- Heavy slag that usually lifts in one piece
- Lower elongation requirement than the cellulosic rods, so it is less ductile
Storage and handling
Keep dry at room temperature. A sealed container or a warm cabinet is enough — no rod oven required.
- Rutile coatings absorb moisture slowly and are far less sensitive than low-hydrogen rods.
- Damp E6013 causes a hissing arc and worm-track porosity; dry at 250–300 °F (120–150 °C) for an hour if needed.
- Store in an unheated shop only if the container is sealed against condensation.
Welding tips
- On 16 gauge sheet, a 1/16 in rod at 25–35 A on DCEN keeps you from blowing holes.
- Drag the rod with a short arc — E6013 does not need or want whipping.
- If the bead is piling up and not wetting the toes, add 10 A rather than slowing down.
- Not a substitute for E7018 on structural work; the deposit is not low-hydrogen and the penetration is shallow.
E6013 frequently asked questions
What is E6013 used for?
Thin mild steel and light fabrication — sheet metal, tubing, gates, railings, and general repair. Its soft arc and shallow penetration make it the standard beginner and sheet-metal rod.
What amperage for 1/8 in E6013?
80–130 A, with 100–115 A typical for 1/8 to 3/16 in plate. On thinner material drop to a 3/32 in rod at 60–80 A.
Is E6013 or E7018 better?
Different jobs. E6013 is easier to run, better on thin material and produces a prettier bead. E7018 is low-hydrogen, stronger, tougher and required on most structural and code work.
Can E6013 weld in all positions?
Yes, the 1 in the classification means all positions. It performs best flat and horizontal; vertical-up work needs the amperage backed off about 10–15%.
Does E6013 need to be kept in a rod oven?
No. Rutile coatings are not low-hydrogen and do not require oven storage. Just keep them dry — a sealed tube in a dry shop is fine.
Compare E6013 with
Related electrodes
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